Agricultural machine.



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No. 855,596. PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907. T. J. THORP.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED min. 1906.

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' T. J. TEORP. AGRIGULTURAL MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYll. 1906.

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PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907.

T. J. THORP. AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1906.

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J a 12% J14 Z/zhzasisas WW Q WW No. 855,596. PATENTED TU NE 4;, 1907. T. J. THORP.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 11,1906.

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, mmllllll' [*zwerz/an 1%. 855,556 PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907.

' T.J.THORP.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11.1906

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[we wet an- No. 855,596. PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907.

, T. J. THORP AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAYiL1906.

8 SHEETSSHBET 6.

PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907 T. J. THORP. AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11.1906.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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'PATENTED JUNE 4, 1907.

T. J. THORP.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11.1906.

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uNirnn s'ra rns PATENT. OrriOE.

THOMAS 'J. TH RP, or cORvALtIs, OREGOK liSSI GNOR TO T. J. THORP MFG COMPANY, or coRyALLis, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREGON.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4, 1907.

lication filed lfiavll. 1906. Serial No- 316,310.

To mil whom, it may concern:

Be it known that Tnonas J TIIORP, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Corvallis, in the county of Benton and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Agricultural Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to selfpropelled agricultural machines; and my primary object is to provide a strong, powerful and durable machine particularly adapted to the purpose of plowing, harrowing and seeding.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred 1 5 embodiment in the accompanying drawings,

- in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of a combination plowing, harrowing and seeding machine constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a similar View with certain of the parts removed; Fig. 3, a side elevational view of the machine; Fig. 4, a plan view of the main frame and the auxiliary frame; Fig. 5, a longitudinal sectional view 2 5 taken as indicated line 5 of Fig. 4; Fig, 6,

a transverse sectional view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a vertical sec: tional view taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 3'; Fig. 8, a detail sectional view taken as iindicated at line 8 of Fig. 9; Fig. 9,a plan view of a turntable supported by. the front wheels and adapted to turn with relation to the main frame, the front end of which it supports; Fig. 10, a sectional view taken as 5 indicated at line 10 of Figs. 1 and 3, and showing details of construction of the steering mechanism employed; Fig. 11, a broken sectional View taken as indicated at line 11 of Fig. 1 and showing details of the mechanism for operating the seeder and raising and lowering the auxiliary frame; Fig. 12, a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a section taken as indicated. at line 13 of Fig. 2 and showing a device employed for regulating the descent of the auxiliary frame; Fig. 14, a view of the device shown in Fig. 13, the view being taken as indicated at line 14 of Fig. 13; Fig. 15, a section taken as indicatedat line 15 of Fig. 2 and showing a detail of the brake mechanism for the traction-wheels of the machine; Fig. 16, a see-n tion taken as indicated at; line -16 ofzFi'gs; 2

, at line 17 of Fig Z, andshowing a detail; flockthe frame in any desired position with construction at the rear axle; Fig. 18, a section taken as indicated at line 18 of Fig. 17;

' turn-table supported by a pair of front wheels B, and, in turn, supporting the front end of the main frame; 0, a rear axle upon the spindles of which are journaled the rear wheels C; D, an engine mounted on the main frame and having a shaft D equi ped with a sprocket wheel D controlled by-a clutch D D", a sprocket-chain serving to' communicate motion from the sprocketwheel I) to a transverse shaft D journaled on the main frame above the axle, the shaft D 'being connected by sprocket-chains D and suitable sprocket-Wheels to the rear wheels C of the machine; D, a sprocketchain connected with the engine-shaft and serving to actuate a s rocket-Wheel E Inounted on a transverse s aft E controlled by a clutch E the shaft E being mounted upon a suitable standard supported on the front end of the main frame; E, a vertical'shaft coin'cidentwith the axis of-the turn-tableB and connected by bevel gears with the shaft I E; E, a transverse shaft journaled on suitable standards With which the turn-table B is equipped and connected by bevel, gears with the shaft E E sprocket-chains con- 'necting the front wheels of'the machine with sprocket-wheels E journaled on the shaft E and controlled by clutches E -F (Figs. 1 and 10), steering mechanism comprising as a part thereof a vertical shaft F equipped with a sprocket-wheel F serving to actuate a sprocket-chain F passing about a suitable toothed member F (Fig. 8), whereby the turn-table is turned as desired in steering the machine; G, an auxiliary tool-frame vertically adjustable with relation to the main frame and equipped in order from front -to, I

rear With'colters G plows G a harrow G and a seederG; G a pair of longitudinal "Ioo shafts connected by a sprocket-chain G and equippedwith wheels G7 with which are con nected chains G? b means of which the frame Gis suspende 3. G (Figs. 1;.3, 13 and .14), a grip ing or locking device connected I @With one 0 the shafts G and serving to ca and 15; Fig. 17, a section taken as indicated trial the descent of the auxiliary frame and to i are journaled on the shaft acent one of the tool-frame adjusting shafts b which supports the wheel-frame B. The G; d K (Figs. 3, 15 and 16-), mechanism wheels are located on opposite sides of the controlling brakes K with which the rear longitudinal center of the machine, and have wheels of the machine are fitted. their hubs connected by the-sprocket-chains The main frame is shown as comprising an E with the sprocket-wheels controlled by" upper angle-bar a bent intermediately to the clutches E Thus, either one or-both of form a portion of a circle a, and straight side the front Wheels may be actuated at will. members a extending rearwardly therefrom; .The rear axle C has a body-portion c, vera lower frame member com rising-an angletical portions 0 and spindles c the bodyorbar bent intermediately to fdrm a portion of tion lying above the spindles. The brac ets 8o a circle a and straight side members a exa are formed with vertical channels 30 which tending rearwardly threfrom; vertical memreceive the vertical portions of the aide, and hers a connecting the upper and lower frame openings 0 through which the spindles promembers mentioned; brackets a connecting jcct. The vertical portions of the axle are the upper and lower frame members at the confined within said channel by bolt 0 rear ends of the members a, as shown in Fig. The brackets are applied from the outer ends 17, the brackets serving also as a means of of the spindles, as will be readily understood connection with the axle; brace-members a from Figs. 17 18 and 19. Each bracket comconnecting the rear ends of the bracketprises a lower horizontal member 0", whose members a with the rear portions of the ends are joined to the frame-members a, a) members (1 as shown in Fig.1 3; a plate a anupper horizontal members avertical con- (Figs. 4 and 5) forming ,a connecting member necting member 0 in which the channel 0 1s between the membersa and serving to comformed; and an inclined brace-member 0 explete the circle a a standard a (Figs. 1, 3 tending from the endsof the members 0 to inand 7) firmly secured to the circle aof the termediate portions of the member c9. The upper frame member and supporting, the upper pbrtion of the bracket is joined byvershaft E said standard supporting a circle tical bolts 0 and horizontal bolts 0 to the a having its axis coincident with the axis of corresponding member (t the upper portion the vertical shaft E cross-members a of the bracket being flanged to conform to firmly connected with the members a 'as the angle bar of the member a The wheels shown in Figs. 3 and 15, said cross-members are of a special construction not claimed in serving to support the engine and portions of the present application, and details of which the wheel-brakes, as indicated in Figs. 1', 2 need not be here explained. and 3; longitudinal guide-members a hav- The engine I.) may be of any suitable coningconnecting arms (1 joined to the crossstruction. Its shaft D serves to contin- 10 members a, as shown in Figs. 3, 15 and 16, uousl operate the sprocket-chain D and a said guides serving to receive the slides car- 'sproc et-chain (1 connected with a shaft of in the brake-shoes K a pair of lon ituthe mechanism F, which will be presently cli na .angle-bars a connected at their front described. The means for transmitting mo ends by brackets (1 with the rear one of the tion from the continuously rotating sprocket r 10 cross-members a, as shownin Fig. 15 a wheel 'E actuated by the sprocketchaius D v cross-member a" supported on the members will be readily understood by reference to a and serving to support portions of the Fig. '7. The shaft E is supported in a bear- .mechanism F, as shown in Fig. 10; standing e carried by the standard a". The shaft ards a supported on the members a and E is in alinemcnt with the vertical axis of I 15 serving to support a shaft of the mechanism the rotatable Wheelfra1ne B, so that the mo- F; and arear frame member a firmly joined tion can be communicated to the shaft E to the rear ends of the members a" and a. which serves to actuate the front Wheels, re- I The turn-table, or' front wheel-frame, B gardless of the position of the wheel-frame in comprises a disk I) having its central portion the steering operation. 1 20 cut away as indicated at b to accommodate The mechanism F comprises (Fig; 10) a the front wheels; a series of brackets I) firmly continuously rotating, sha'ft f which is actusecured to the peri heral portion of the disk j ated through the medium of a sprocketand equipped with rollers i) (Fig. 8); a ring wheel f with which the sprocket-chain d I F equipped with teeth and forming a part of j connects; a pair of friction disks f sphned I25 the steering mechanism F, said ring comprison the shaft f and capable of being shifted I ing a flat band of steel bent into circular form j longitiulinaliy of the shaft. by screwsf conand provided. with teeth for engaging the ncctcd with the standards a", winch may be sprocket-chain F; and a standard having j actuated by sprocket-whceis f connccted cross shafts supporting a head I)" (Fig. 9) 1 with haml-whcclsf. 'lhe haud-wheels'have 1 0 relation to the main frame; G a shaft servj equi ped with groovedrollers'b ing to actuate the dropper of theseeder; H

on t e circular track a, as shown in Fig. 7. (Figs. 1, 12), .mechanism whereby The standard affords bearings for the transpower may be transnntted at will to either verse shaft E which passes beneath the head the dropper actuating shaft G or the ad- I)". The wheels B I which work one of the disks f 2 into engagement with the ment with the disk f diskf, thereb causing the steering shaft to be actuated. t is obvious that the machine may be steered in either direction, according to which of thetdisks f 2 is moved into engagelt may be further remarked at this oint that traction power may be a plied toeither of the-front wheels of the mac line to enable the machine to be turned with greater certainty from its course in case of emergency. i

The auxiliary frame, or tool-frame, G is preferably of the rectangular form miown, and is suspended by connection near its four corners with the chains G The colters G,

. it will be understood, are arranged in front of the dividing edges of the plows in a manner which will be readily understood. The lows G are fixedly secured to the fram'e G 1); any suitable manner. Likewise, the harrow Gr is fixedly secured to the frame, as by hangers g. The seeder comprises hollow shoes g"fixedly secured to the frame G; tubes Q'.-.telescopically connected with said shoes;

. a Hop er 9; and a dropper g in the bottom of set hopper, operating upon a well known principle, said dropper being connected in any suitable manner with the actuating shaft G which serves to operate it. The barrow may be of any suitable construction.

[have shown it formed of sheet-metal in accordance with the construction described and claimed in my application, No. 313,336

filed Apr. 23, 1906, (Pat. No. 832,350). As

shown in detail in Figs. .4, 5 and (5, the "frame G has a front bar 9 which is engaged centrally by a depending bracket-arm q forming a portion of a lever g connected by a longitudinal horizontal pivot g" with a-lug with which the plate (L8 of the main frame is provided. The ends of the bar g are joined by flexible membcrs-g to thefront corners of the frame G.- It will now boun- 'derstood that the bar g may turn upon its swivel when the frame-G is'tilt'erhor; the frame may tilt with'relation to the bracket 9". In any case, a substantially horizontal draft will be imparted to the tool-frame. (:lr through the medium of the bracket 9. In the opera' tion of raising the toolfraine, the front: bar g slides upwardly with relation to the ui'n zkct g, as will be readily understood. 1 and d continuously; and,il" the clutch E b i o The height of the tool-frame, and consequently the depth of cut of the tools is regulated by the chains G: on which the toolframe is suspended. v

The mechanism G by means of which the tool-frame is secured at any desired height, or allowed to descend under control, will be understood by reference; to Figs. 13 and 14. It com rises a sheave g fixed on one of the shafts 5 and about which-passes a cable g whose ends-are connected to. a slide 9 vertically movable in a guide g; and a handwheel 9 connected with a screw 9" which serves to actuate the slide g. It will be understood that by. this mechanism the shaft G may be gripped with any desired force, there, by to prevent or control its rotation,

The mechanism H which serves in the operation of raising the tool-frame and which I serves also in the actuation of the dropper slide of the seeder, will best be understood by reference to Figs. 11 and 12. It comprises a shiftable friction disk It mounted on one end of the engine-shaft D; a frictiori disk h secured on the adjacent shaft G a friction disk k secured on-the. shaft G the disk It being between theeripheries of the disks h, 7?; and a sleeve'ii having threaded connection with a bracket h supported on the adjacent frame (1 the sleeve It being equipped with'a hand-wheel h The sleeve 76 serves to actuate a' yoke, or ring, it which has flanged 'connection'with the hub of the disk it, said ring h being secured againstrotation by a stud h working in the perforation in the upper end of the bracket h. It will be obvious that when the disk It is shifted into contact with the disk It, the shaft G: will be actuated to raise the tooL-frame; and when the disk It is shifted into contact with the disk if, the shaft G will be actuated to operate the movable member, or dropper, of the seeder.

ico

The brake mechanism comprises a pair of hand-Wheels lc secured to short longitudinal shafts It" mounted in standards In on opposite cnds of the front one of the cross-members a of the frame; a pair of screws 7c journaled in suitable bearings with which the guides of are provided and equipped with sprocket-wheels lc; slides It?" mounted in the guides a and carrying the brake-shoes K and a sprocket-chain /c passing about the sprocket-wheels le and about sprocket v wheels k with which the shafts k are equipped. It will thus-.be understood that when either one of the hand-wheelsjc is actuated, the brake-shoes will be moved into or 1 out of'engagemcnt' with the rearwheels of thermachine, according to the direction of movement of the hand-wheel.

v The manner-of operation of the machine will be readily understood. The engineshaft operates to turn the sprocket-chains l) elevate the tool-frame.

'\\ 'hecl-fra,me on which the in operative engagement, the shaft E will-l shaft serving to communicate motion to the communicate motion to the transverse shaft E mounted on the rotatable wheel-frame supported on the frontwheels of the machine. By means of the clutches E one or both of the front wheels of the machine may be caused to operate for traction purposes. Power may be communicated at'will fromthe engine-shaft to the shaft D through'the mediumof the clutch D, to cause the rear wheels of the machine to operate for traction purposes. When it is desired to lower the tool-frame, the hand-wheel g is turned to release the rip of the cable 9 upon the shaft G with w iich it is connected, thereby allowing the tool-frame to be lowered under 'control. The seeder may be set in'operation-by operating. the hand-whecl h in such manner as to bring the disk It on the engine-shaft into engagement with the disk 71 on the dropper actuating shaft of the seeder. When it is desired to raise thetool-frame preparatory to turning the machine about, the disk 72- may be moved in the other direction, thereby stopping the operation of the seeder and setting the shaft G in motion, thereby causing the chains G to wind upon the wheels G and The tool-frame may be locked in the elevated position by means of the gripping device G". .For ordinary purposes, the turning of the machine may be effected by actuating one or the other of the hand-wheelsf of the steering mechanism F, according to the direction in which it is desired to turn. Ordinarily, the hand-wheels f'" are so set as to lock the steering shaft F against movement when the machine will be caused to pursue a straight course. In emergency, one or the other of the front tractionwhccls may be employed to aid in turning the machine sharply to one sidefor the purpose of getting out of-a ditlicult place;.or, if desired, both front wheels may be employed as traction-wliecls to aid the. rear wheels in propolling the machine over a ditlicult place.

. The inventionhas been described in detail for clearness of umlerstanding, and no undue limitation is to be understood therefrom.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. The combination of a main frame, a "front end of the main frame is mountcdto turn, a traction wheelsupporting said wheel-frame, a shaft having its axiscoincident. with the axis of said wheel-frame, means for communicating motion from said shaft to said wheel, a motor supported on the communicating motion from said motor to said shaft.

2. The combination of atraction-wheel and its frame, a main frame with relation to which the 'tirst' -narmrd frame may turn, traction wheels supporting the main frame in the main frame, and means for' first-named traction wheel and 'having its axis coincident with the axis of said tractionwheetframe, a motor mounted on the main frame, and means for communicating motion. from said motor to said shaft .and from said motor to the rear traction-wheels,for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of a traction-wheel frame, apair of traction wheels located on opposite sides of the axis thereof, a main frame having its front end supported on said traction-wheel frame and with relation to which the first-named frame may turn, a pair of rear wheels, a motor mounted on the main frame, and means for communicating motion from the motor to one or both of the front traction-wheels, at will. i

4. The combination of a traction-wheel frame, a pair of traction wheels located onopposite sides of the axis thereof, a. main frame having its front end supported on said traction-wheel frame and with relation to which the first-named frame may turn, a pairof rear wheels, a motor mounted on the main frame, means for communicating motion from'the motor to a rear wheel, and means for communicating motion from the motor to one or both of the front wheels, at will.

5. The combinationof a wheel frame, a wheel supporting the same, a main frame having its front end swiveled on said wheel-- fran'ie, wheels supporting the main frame in the rear of said wlieebfraine, a motor mount ed on the main frame, means for transmitting motion from the motor to one of said wheels, and means for transmitting motion from themotor to said wheel-fra1ne for use ill-steering the machine.

6. The combination of a front wheel, a wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame having its front end sx'vivelcd on said wheel-frame, a motor supported on the main frame, wheels supporting the main frame in the rear of said wheel-frame, means for communicating motion from the. motor to one of said wheels, a shaft equipped with a sprocket-whecl and geared to said motor, and a sprocket-chain connected with said s]nfoclut-dimd and with said wheel-frame, whereby the machine may be steered by power from the motor. I i

7. The combination of a front wheel and a wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame having its front end swiveled on said wheel-frame, rear wheelsf or the main frame,

and steering mechanism comprising a stecr,

d whcelframc, a locksteermg shaft, and powerfor actuating said steering ing shaft geared to sai ing device for said actuated means shaft.

H. The combination. of a-front wheel, a

supported thereon, a, frame having its front. end swiveled on said rear of thcsauf first-named trnctioiawhcel, a l wlwel-frame, wheels for the rear portion of main mechanism for releasing the steering shaftand connecting it with said first-named shaft,

whereby the machine may be steered bypower.

9. The combination of a front wheel, .a

wheel-frame sup orted thereon, a ma' frame having its rontend swiveled on said wheel-frame, wheels-for the rear portion of the main frame, a motor mounted on the main frame, a shaft driven from saidmotor,

a steering" shaft geared to said Wheel-frame and equipped with a transmission member,

' shiftable transmission members on the firstnamed shaft, a gripping device for the steering shaft, and means forreleasing said gripping. device and throwing either one of the transmission members on said first-named shaft into enga ement with the transmission member on said steering shaft.

10. The combination of a front wheel, a wheel-frame. supported thereon, 'a main ,frame having swivel connection. with said wheeleframe, wheels for the rear portion of the mam-frame, a motor mounted on'the main frame, a eontinuously'actuated shaft geared to the motor and equipped with shiftable friction disks, a steering shaft geared to said Wheel-frame and equipped with a disk'located between said first-named disks, a pair of slides, a cable connected with said slides and serving to control the steering shaft, and means for simultaneouslyactuating one of said first-named disks and one of said slides to release the steering shaft and set it in motion. 11. The combination of a front wheel, a wheel frame su ported thereon, a main frame having its ront end supported on said wheel-frame and free to turn with relation thereto, a stand ardsupported onsaid Wheel frame, a transverse shaft supported on said standard and geared to said wheel, a standard supported on the main frame and having swivel connection with said first-named standard, a vertical shaft geared to said first-named shaft, a shaft geared to said vertical shaft and su ported on the second namedstandard, wiieels supporting the rear portion of the main frame, and a motor supported on the main frame and geared to said ast-named shaft. 12. Thecombination of a pair of tractionwheels, a wheel-frame supported thereon, a

standard supported on said wheel-frame, a

transverse s frame and geared to salt first-named shaft, Wheels supporting therear portion of the main frame, a motor supported on the main frame, and means for communicating motion from said motor to said second-named shaft, at will, for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination of a front'vvheel, a wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame having its front end swiveled on said wheel-frame, a motor mounted on the main frame immediately in the rear of said wheelframe, Wheels supporting the rear portion of the main frame,'a vertically ad'ustable toolframe supported on the main 1 ame, meansfor communicating motion from said motor to one of said Wheels, a pair of parallel shafts geared together and connected with the toolrame, and means for communicating motionfrom said motor to one of said shafts, at will.

14. The combination ofa front wheel, a Wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame swivelly connected with said whee frame, Wheels supporting the rear portionof the main frame, a vertically adjustable toolframe, a shaft serving to raise the tool frame, a seeder. connected with the tool-frame, a shaft serving to operate the seeder, a motor mounted on the main frame, and means for connecting said motor with either one of said shafts, at will.

15. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination with a main-frame, of a tool-frame, a pair of parallel shafts geared together, suspending means for the toolirarne "onnected'writh' said shafts, means for ac ua ing one of said shafts to raise the toolframe} tand means for gripping one of said shafts to lock the tool frame in a given position orto lower the tool frame under control, at will.

16. The combination of a front wheel, a wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame swivelly connected with said wheelframe rear Wheels supporting said main 1811116,}, vertically adjustable tool-frame, and means carried by the main frame for imparting substantially horizontal draft to the toolframe, regardless of the position of the toolframe.-

17. The combination of a front Wheel, a wheel-frame support-ed thereon, a main frame swivelly connected with said wheelframe, a pair of rear Wheels for the main frame, a tool-frame, flexible means suspend- .ing the tool-frame from the main frame, and

a depending member supported on the main frame and slidably engaging the front end portion of the tool-frame, whereby substantially horizontal draft is imparted to the toolframe, regardless of the adjustment. of the tool-frame.

1S. lhe combination .of a front wheel, a wheel-frame supported thereon, a main frame swivelly connected with said Wheel-' frame, wheels supporting the rear portion of the main frame, a bar having longitudinal pivotal connection with said main frame in a lower member formed with a portion of a circle-at its front end, connecting members 1 joining said first-named members at. their, front ends, and axle brackets joined to said upper and lower members.

20. A main frame for a machine of the character set forth, comprising upper and lower frame members provided at their front ends with circular portions and having rear- 20 wardly extending side members joining said circular portions, and axle-brackets interposed between said side members, eaeh'axl0- bracket having a channel for receiving a vertic-a] portion of a bent axle. 2-5

21. The combination ofa bent axle having vertical portions, and a mainframe comprising upper and lower members, and axlebrackets interposed between said members, each bracket having an opening receiving a 30 spindle of an axle and having on.its inner face aehannel receiving a vertical portion of the axle, for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS J. 'lllOltP.

in presence of A. U. 'luomnx, J. H. lmxnns. 

